Amanda Petersen is the Executive Director of FocusedKids and is the facilitator of their highly rated professional development series for teachers and parent coaching series. She is also the lead classroom trainer for the FocusedKids team.

Before starting at FocusedKids in 2018, Amanda taught preschool, kindergarten, and first grade in the Roaring Fork Valley on the western slope of Colorado. Amanda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health. When not attending to the duties of FocusedKids, Amanda also offers grief and loss counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, Amanda has a private practice offering counseling services in the Roaring Fork Valley.

She shares her personal life with her husband of 16 years and two children, ages 16 and 12. She spends her free time running in the mountains and practicing yoga and mindfulness meditation.

Started with FocusedKids 7/2017.

Yolanda was born and raised in Peru and moved to the United States in 2009. Since then, she has been helping the most vulnerable people in the Roaring Fork Valley while working in different organizations that support her values. After joining FocusedKids in 2019, she became our bilingual trainer who delivers our FocusedKids model to Latino families and cultivates connections with other organizations in this Valley.

Yolanda has earned her bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work and is working toward her Clinical Social Work license. Her goal is to reduce or remove socio-economic barriers that prevent children and parents from accessing mental health in a timely manner and become a resource that promotes healthy relationships between parents/caregivers and children.

She lives in Glenwood Springs, and enjoys going on adventures with her 4-year-old son and eating delicious homemade meals.

Started with FocusedKids 7/2020.

Suzanne is a K-12 teacher of 20+ years who is passionate about working with children and their parents. She has taught at Basalt Elementary, Crystal River Elementary, and Colorado Mountain College.

Suzanne is also a yoga instructor, a Mindful Parenting coach, and the creator of Breathe Parenting, LLC, which teaches parents tools and practices to find calm in the chaos of family life.

Started with FocusedKids 08/2024

Shannon Campbell has had the joy and privilege of working with young children and families for over 40 years. She has worked in a variety of settings as a kindergarten and preschool teacher and director, a special educator, and a family/teacher trainer and coach.

Over her career as an educator, she has seen the importance of self-regulation and self-awareness in order to learn and grow. Empowering children, teachers, and families in awareness and control of their own emotions and behavior has become a cornerstone of her work.

“FocusedKids has given me the tools to support children, families and students in the most important and fundamental way. It makes learning about our brain and self-regulation meaningful and fun! It really has changed my teaching, how I educate, and my interactions with children, families and staff. I am thrilled to be part of the FocusedKids team to share this wonderful, vital information with families, teachers and children!”

Started with FocusedKids 08/2018

Shayla is the Design, Marketing, and Brand Strategist behind Design Finch, LLC. She specializes in visual identity creation and development of integrated communications for clients that include large corporations, events and conferences, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and small businesses in a variety of industries. She also established the in-house design department at Dentsply International, a Fortune 500 company, where she led a creative team that produced strategic marketing collateral for more than 20 brands of dental products.

Her involvement with FocusedKids began with a parenting workshop she completed when her eldest child was three years old. Although that squishy toddler is now older, she continues to use strategies from FocusedKids daily with her two sons (ages 8 and 5) to maintain a calm and connected home.

Started with FocusedKids in 03/2020.

Amanda is an illustrator and educator based in Baltimore, Maryland. She previously served students and families as a 5th grade teacher in Glenwood Springs and is excited to contribute to the amazing work at FocusedKids, supporting the design of workbooks, lessons, and online modules.

Amanda has her 200-hour yoga teaching certification and is a strong believer in the power of mindfulness and brain-based education in classrooms.

Started with FocusedKids 02/2024.

Amy has worked as a grant-writer for the University of Colorado-Denver for nearly 12 years focusing on substance use and mental health. In her independent business, Amy Neustadt Consulting, LLC, she has also consulted with more than 15 nonprofit organizations in Colorado, including FocusedKids to research grant opportunities, prepare grant concepts and applications, and submit grant applications and grant reports to a variety of funders.

Previously, she served as Program Officer at the Colorado Health Foundation in the Health Coverage area and Research and Program Director of the Family Planning Section within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago.

Amy received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana and a Master’s of Public Health from Emory University.

Started with FocusedKids 2/2023.

Tracy has called Carbondale home for decades, and her roots run deep in the Roaring Fork Valley. With over 30 years as a public educator teaching everyone from kindergarteners to adults, she knows firsthand the transformative power of quality education and the importance of strong community support.

As Development Director at FocusedKids, Tracy leverages her extensive network and genuine relationships throughout the valley to grow our donor community. Her approach is personal, authentic, and rooted in the belief that supporting children’s social-emotional learning is an investment in the future of our mountain communities.

Before joining FocusedKids, Tracy was a classroom teacher, district literacy coordinator, state education consultant, and national literacy trainer. She’s also an experienced grant writer who has secured substantial funding to support educational programs nationwide. When she’s not engaging with donors or assisting her team, you’ll find Tracy at the pottery wheel, tending her garden, or quietly observing the valley’s amazing bird life.

Rebecca is a passionate, dedicated teacher, mother, musician, naturalist, gardener, and yogi. Rebecca started her journey with children in college, working at nature centers. After graduation, she received a certificate in environmental education and began teaching children of all ages at different outdoor education centers around the country. Eventually finding her way to Colorado,

Rebecca found a niche with preschoolers. As a teacher at Forest Preschool over the past 13 years, Rebecca focuses on experiential education, a spirit of adventure, and connection with others and the natural world. Her background as a yoga teacher and some training in mindfulness with FocusedKids led Rebecca to use methods of focus and mindfulness with her classes. She saw positive changes including more focused and engaged students after only a short time.

Now, Rebecca is thrilled to work with FocusedKids where she can share her experience in classroom management, music, and mindfulness.

Started with FocusedKids 10/24.

Susan is a licensed professional counselor specializing in family counseling and trauma, with degrees in Couples, Family, and Adolescent Counseling, Global Public Health, and Biology. Her interdisciplinary background informs a deeply holistic approach to mental health and well-being.

A dedicated mindfulness practitioner for more than 25 years, Susan brings both personal and professional commitment to the work of FocusedKids. She is a passionate advocate for the organization’s research-based approach to self-regulation and building healthy brains — practices she has seen transform the lives of students, teachers, and families.

Susan currently serves on the FocusedKids Board of Directors and is a former Board Chair.

Outside of her practice, Susan loves spending time with her adult sons, extended family, and friends — hiking the stunning Colorado outdoors, and anywhere there is moving water.

Jodi Huffman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience supporting children, families, and educators. She holds degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Special Education, is a certified yoga teacher, and blends clinical expertise with mindfulness in her work.

Jodi has served in diverse roles—from teacher to program leader—shaping her holistic, strength-based approach. She leads Mindful Me Behavior Support and co-owns Mindful Me Playhouse with her husband.

She also serves on the Board of Directors for FocusedKids, reflecting her commitment to building inclusive, supportive communities through evidence-based and mindful practices.

Kelsey Ellis has worked in the investment industry since 2006 and is a Principal at Seven Post Investment Office where she focuses on aligning investment strategy with long-term financial planning for families. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Seven Post Trust Company, where she helps oversee fiduciary matters.

Kelsey is a Board Member and Treasurer of FocusedKids. She lives in Basalt, Colorado, in the Roaring Fork Valley with her husband and four children.

Kelsey holds a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA).

Stephanie O’Connor is a Roaring Fork Valley native and is proud to continue calling the community home. She has two children who have benefited from FocusedKids programs, which first drew her to the organization and ultimately inspired her to get involved. She is a passionate believer in helping children build healthy brains, strong self-regulation skills, and the resilience they need to thrive in every part of life.
By day, Stephanie is a people and operations executive with more than a decade of experience helping organizations grow and scale. She’s worked across early-stage startups and global companies, leading initiatives spanning people operations, culture building, talent strategy, organizational design, and leadership development.

By night (and on weekends), you’ll find her adventuring with her kids, husband, and pup.